Parents, are you up and gone to Carolina? We had a group of family friends that would take an annual trek to the Carolina coast when I was a child. Those times were filled with beach days, crabbing, mini-golf, and lots of fried shrimp. The place made it fun, but the people made it special... family time uninterrupted by all the activities of home… fun times making memories with friends in the sun, surf and sand. From the time Anita and I were dating, the Carolina coast has been special to us too. Her Aunt, who lived on the Isle of Palms used to host a reunion about every other year. Everyone would gather for a week-long celebration of all the celebrations and milestones we had missed together. She made every person feel special and made matching T-shirts so that everyone belonged. Kind encouraging words were spoken and many meals were shared shoulder to shoulder and laughter was only a moment away. The Carolina cousins now keep the tradition going since her aunt’s passing. Once again, the place is wonderful, but the people are what make it special. Of course one of our favorite songs is “Carolina in My Mind.” James Taylor apparently wrote the song from a far away place, homesick for the people he loved and belonged to. The love of the people who spoke gentle and kind words to him and familiarity of the place seemed to call out to him. I love the line he sings:
“There ain't no doubt in no one's mind
That love's the finest thing around
Whisper something soft and kind
And hey babe, the sky's on fire
I'm dying, ain't I?
Gone to Carolina in my mind”
Paul, the Apostle, was writing to some people he loved, who had apparently forgotten how to treat the people to whom they belonged. He writes to them from a far away place reminding them, “love’s the finest thing around.” He says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails... And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13 (NIV) This year’s Carolina reunion has been postponed due to COVID 19, but memories of the love and laughter of those to whom we belong are calling out to us, reminding us that “love’s the finest thing around!” During these crazy times of uncertainty and turmoil, let Jesus whisper words soft and kind to you and then pass them along to those you love whether you are close to them or far away.
Hang in there people! God is with us! I’m praying for you all!
